Functional outcomes after inpatient rehabilitation for trauma-improved but unable to return home

Twenty-five percent of trauma patients are discharged to postacute care, indicating a loss of physical function and need for rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to quantify the functional improvements in trauma patients discharged from inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) and identify predictors of improvement.

A retrospective cohort study of trauma patients aged ≥ 18 years were admitted to an IRF after discharge from a level-1 trauma center. Data included demographics, injury characteristics, hospital, and IRF course. The functional independence measure (FIM) was used to measure change in physical and cognitive function.

There were 245 patients with a mean age of 55.8 years and mean injury severity score (ISS) of 14.7. Fall was the leading mechanism of injury (45.7%). On IRF admission, 50.7% of patients required moderate or greater assistance. On discharge, the mean intraindividual change in FIM score was 29.9; 85.4% of the patients improved by ≥1 level of functioning. Before injury, 99.6% of patients were living at home, but only 56.0% were discharged home from the IRF, despite 81.8% requiring minimal assistance at most (23.5% to skilled nursing; 19.7% readmitted). Increasing age and lower ISS were associated with less FIM improvement, and increasing ISS was associated with increased FIM improvement.

More than 80% of the trauma patients experienced meaningful functional improvements during IRF admission. However, only half were discharged home, and a quarter required further institutional care. Further research is needed to identify the additional impediments to return to preinjury functioning.